This time two years ago, the most glaring issue with Clemson was the lack of playmakers at wide receiver. There were talented guys on the roster, but many of them were young, injured, or did not pan out as a Tiger. Even with the lack of production from the position, Dabo Swinney maintained he would not use the portal to fill it. This is when the noise about Swinney’s refusal to use the portal was the loudest.
Swinney instead told everyone who would listen that he was confident in the players on his roster who were being developed. Fast forward to the current day, and the perception of Clemson’s wide receiver room has drastically changed. After wrapping up the 2025 spring practice sessions, the wide receivers look to be the most exciting group for the Tigers heading into the fall. The group has dubbed itself the “Three Waves of Terror” because of the depth of talent it contains.
A look at the Clemson Wide Receivers
First Wave of Terror
The first wave of terror from the Clemson wide receivers comes with a First-Team All-ACC selection and the first freshman duo in power conference football with 650+ receiving yards each since 2000. After battling through injuries in 2023, Antonio Willams reminded everyone why he was a freshman All-American in 2022. Williams caught 75 passes for 904 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior in 2024. He was the first Tiger with double-digit touchdown receptions since Tee Higgins had 13 in 2019. Williams announcing he will be back was a huge deal for the Tigers, who get their top pass catcher back.
Williams is not the only current Clemson receiver previously named a freshman All-American, though. Bryant Wesco Jr earned the honor after a great debut season in 2024. Wesco had 41 receptions for 708 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman. The speedy wide receiver was a big-time playmaker for the Tigers last season. He has bigger expectations for 2025 with a year of experience under his belt now.
These raised expectations are also placed on the other sophomore star receiver TJ Moore. While Moore did not earn the same honors as Wesco last season, he still was a key piece in Clemson’s ACC Championship run. Moore had 45 catches for 651 yards and five touchdowns in his first year. He will have a much bigger role in the offense in 2025.
Second Wave
We are not done talking about previous freshman All-Americans, as Clemson has one more in the wide receiver room. Redshirt sophomore Tyler Brown had an amazing 2023 campaign. He led the team in both receptions and receiving yards at the end of his freshman year. Brown had 52 receptions for 531 yards and four touchdowns in that 2023 season. In 2024, an ankle injury sidelined Brown for a majority of the season. Now, he is back and ready to be the playmaker he was two years ago. Brown will get his chance to shine, even with all the new talent that has been brought in.
Speaking of new talent, two years later than many thought he should have, Swinney took a receiver out of the transfer portal this offseason. He brought in Tristian Smith from the FCS program, Southeast Missouri State. Smith was a second-team All-Conference player in 2024. The 6-5 receiver caught 76 passes for 934 yards and six touchdowns to get onto Clemson’s radar.
Smith had an outstanding showing in the spring game that left everyone in attendance buzzing with excitement. He had five receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown against the talented Tiger defense. Many in the program are excited about what the lengthy receiver will bring.
Third Wave
The depth of talent in the Clemson receiver room continues with another player whose career has been plagued by injury. Cole Turner missed a majority of the 2023 season with an abductor injury. In 2024, Turner returned as an explosive, big-play receiver even in a limited role. His speed and impressive catch radius for his Size helped Cade Klubnik connect with Turner on a few critical plays last season. Turner had 16 receptions for 229 yards and two touchdowns in 2024. Expect his number to be called when the Tigers need some big plays in 2025.
Another very talented player whose role is going to increase this season is redshirt sophomore Misun Kelley. The redshirt sophomore has actually been turned into a two-way player. He took reps at defensive back this spring and will continue to do so in the fall. In his short career, Kelley has 5 receptions for 27 yards. His role will become more pivotal as he continues to develop on both sides of the ball.
The talent pool of this Clemson wide receiver group is deep. There are many different reliable targets with their own unique skill sets. It is exactly what Klubnik will need to help build his Heisman campaign in 2025. Expect lots of explosive playmaking from the Tiger offense this season.
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